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Foundation plantings in front entryways significantly impact the curb appeal of your home and create a welcoming atmosphere for household residents and guests. Shrubs for front entrance locations are specimen plants that provide aesthetic appeal because of fragrance, bright berries, striking floral displays or colorful foliage. The best entryway shrubs combine at least two of these attributes.

Fragrant Greetings

Judd viburnum (Viburnum × juddii) is a deeply-fragrant deciduous shrub that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Its sweetly-fragrant white flowers and dark green foliage with purple fall color make it a popular specimen plant near front entryways. Judd viburnum grows 6 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide, attracts butterflies, thrives in full sun or partial shade, requires medium summer water and has no serious pest problems.

Colorful Berries

Hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9, chokecherry (Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima') is a deciduous shrub that grows 6 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. Used as a specimen planting for its white floral display in April and its bright red fall foliage and berries, chokecherry grows in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a variety of soil conditions. Its purple-to-black berries make it an attractive option for those interested in creating edible landscapes.

Pretty in Pink

The vibrant pink blooms of roseshell azaleas brighten front door areas located in partial shade during April and May. Hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8, roseshell azaleas grow 4 to 8 feet tall with an equal spread. The fragrant flowers of this deciduous shrub attract butterflies and bees to the garden, and foliage turns bronze in fall. Rosheshell azaleas need rich, organic soil that is well drained and moisture-retentive. Soil should never be allowed to dry out around this shrub's shallow roots.

All-Season Interest

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a low-maintenance deciduous shrub that grows in full sun to partial shade in USDA zones 5 through 9. Its panicles of white flowers appear in May and gradually turn dark pink with bloom time ending in July. Oakleaf hydrangea likes moist soil and grows 6 to 8 feet tall with an equal width. Oakleaf hydrangea provides long-lasting, red-mahogany foliage, and its peeling bark provides winter interest.

About the Author

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Marta Santos studied ornamental horticulture at Clackamas Community College between the years of 1994 and 1996 and has been writing about garden related issues since 2001. As an active participant in the Master Gardeners Program, Santos is always discovering new things about the world of gardening.

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Santos, Marta. "The Best Shrubs for a Front Door." Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/shrubs-front-door-90928.html. Accessed 14 September 2019.

Santos, Marta. (n.d.). The Best Shrubs for a Front Door. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/shrubs-front-door-90928.html

Santos, Marta. "The Best Shrubs for a Front Door" accessed September 14, 2019. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/shrubs-front-door-90928.html

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